Jae-Gyun Hwang’s visit to Pittsburgh bittersweet

Updated 9:53 pm, Friday, June 30, 2017

PITTSBURGH — Third baseman Jae-Gyun Hwangsaid his cellphones were “on fire” after he homered in his major-league debut Wednesday. He got 1,000 calls and texts on his Korean phone, 200 on his U.S. phone.

The Giants’ decision to have Eduardo Nuñezplay two rehab games for Double-A Richmond, Va., this weekend before coming off the disabled list in Detroit on Tuesday put Hwang back in the lineup for Friday night’s series opener against the Pirates.

Hwang’s debut was a huge deal in South Korea. Friday’s game would have been as monumental had he squared off against Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang. But that did not happen. Kang was denied a U.S. visa before this season after he was convicted in Korea for a hit-and-run drunken-driving accident.

A judge sentenced Kang to a two-year suspended prison sentence after his third DUI. Kang, who hit 36 homers for the Pirates in 2015 and 2016, has publicly admitted his guilt and asked forgiveness.

Hwang wishes he could play against Kang. They have known one another from the ballfields since they were about 12 and were drafted together at 17 by the Hyundai Unicorns of the Korean Baseball League.

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

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Giants third baseman Ryder Jones (0-for-16) said he wants hits and RBIs to help the team.

Giants third baseman Ryder Jones (0-for-16) said he wants hits and RBIs to help the team.

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

Jae-Gyun Hwang’s visit to Pittsburgh bittersweet

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“One of the first things that came to mind when I found out we were going to Pittsburgh was it would have been a much more fun game if he were here,” Hwang said through interpreter Mark Kim.

“From what I know he is very regretful for what he did. He wishes he made a better choice.”

Kang did not leave a message on Hwang’s phone. Hwang did hear from countryman Hyun-Jin Ryu, who left a one-word message by text that said, “Nice.”

Hwang and Ryu had already spoken about a potential meeting when the Giants are in Los Angeles on July 28, Hwang’s 30th birthday. The new Giant joked that if he faces Ryu on his birthday he expects a grooved fastball as a present.

Nuñez took early batting practice and ran the bases Friday afternoon at PNC Park. Manager Bruce Bochy declared him healthy but said, “We would hate to activate him and something happens. We want to give him a few at-bats, too, to get his timing down.”

The Giants may have ulterior motives for putting a healthy Nuñez on the field. They need to show he is healthy if they hope to trade him by the July 31 nonwaiver deadline.

Bochy said he will use Hwang and Ryder Jonesat third this weekend. Hwang went hitless in three at-bats Friday.